New York City
Prendergast Laurel Architects

With durable, modern materials, Prendergast Laurel forges deft renovations of New York City Firehouses

Photo © Whitney Cox

By William Weathersby, Jr.

An essential part of New York City's civic infrastructure, the 220 fire stations spread across five boroughs encompass many architectural styles and construction techniques. Some facilities dating from the early-19th-century era of horse-drawn wagons were later adapted piecemeal for modern use, while many postwar buildings have undergone partial renovations over the decades. The condition of the interiors varies from site to site. "Some are beautiful wrecks," says architect David Prendergast, "and several are fine examples of historic architecture." While the members of many engine companies have craftily attempted to informally adapt their firehouses to changing lodging and equipment needs, he says, "These rundown environments have sometimes forced firefighters to live on-site almost like squatters."

Although the city's economic crisis of the 1970s brought capital improvements to a standstill—with long-lasting aftershocks—a decade ago the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) collaborated with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) on a plan to comprehensively renovate firehouses citywide. Instead of patching stations back together as a stop-gap, the authorities earmarked funds to begin top-to-bottom overhauls. In 1999, Prendergast Laurel Architects won one of the commissions to renovate five fire stations, three in Manhattan and two in Brooklyn, over a period of five years. The design team tackled Engine Companies 1, 93, 210, and 282, plus Ladder Company 25.

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the People Architect Prendergast Laurel Architects 143 Duane Street new York, NY 10003 ph:   212.732.1081 fx:   212.732.2009 www.prendergast-laurel.com Partners in charge: David W. Prendergast, Deborah Laurel Project Architect: Christoph Harter Project Team: Chris Heintzen, Joe Polowczuk, Justin Deabreu, Tony Valadez, Stefan Trosdorf, Nazia Parvez, Tao Sule, Kara Mueller, Nancy Choi Engineer(s) Structural: Robert Silman Associates www.rsapc.com Mechanical and electrical: – Atkinson Koven Feinberg www.akf-engineers.com – Mottola Rini Engineers Photographer(s) Whitney Cox Photographer Tel. (212) 349-7894

the Products Interior Finishes Paints, stains: Benjamin Moore www.benjaminmoore.com; Hammerite www.hammerite.com Laminate: Formica www.formica.com Solid surfacing: Corian www.corian.com Lighting Light fixtures: Delray www.delraylighting.com